Magic and Medicine from the Ozarks

243: Recipes, Recipes

I’m leading another workshop this weekend, and in addition to the material I presented in the Tincturing Workshop, I’ll also be adding alcohol liniments, salves, and oils to the information sheet. Below is what I’ll be handing out. As always, please consult a medical professional before using any of these preparations, don’t use while using other medications, check for allergins, and do not use as a replacement for medical care (especially in emergency cases). Enjoy!

Alcohol Liniments

Liniments are tinctures that rather than being ingested, are applied to the skin.

The alcohol will evaporate leaving behind the herbal medicine.

Liniments can also be mixed with a carrier oil, sweet almond oil, olive oil, coconut oil, etc. to sooth the skin and prevent burning from the alcohol.

Basic Oil and Alcohol Liniment:

1 part alcohol tincture : 1 part carrier oil

Easy Liniment Recipes

Fiery Liniment – think something like Tiger Balm. Hot and cold to sooth aching muscles. This does contain capsicum, menthol, and camphor, so do not apply to sensitive skin areas. A carrier oil is recommended with this one.

Tincture: for a quart jar

½ c. Cinnamon

½ c. Fresh Ginger

½ c. Calendula flowers

3-4 medium sized Chili Peppers

1 tbsp. Menthol crystals (or oil, crystals can be found on Amazon)

1 tbsp. Camphor crystals (or oil, crystals can be found on Amazon)

1 tsp. Cinnamon oil (optional)

Vodka (fill jar)

Carrier Oil:

Sweet Almond oil

Field Liniment – great for taking out hiking. Apply to aches, pains, sprains, cuts, and wounds to help in emergencies. Can be used with or without carrier oils.

Tincture: for a quart jar

½ c. Plantain leaf

½ c. Comfrey root (and/or leaf)

½ c. Self Heal leaf

¼ c. Pine resin

Vodka (fill jar)

Carrier Oil:

Sweet Almond oil

Herbal Salves

Herbal material left to sit in warm oil or fat until the active chemical compounds in the plants have been leached out.